| abstract | - The UESP Enterprise was originally built as a Starliner, a manned interstellar probe, by the United Earth Space Probe Agency in the mid-to-late 21st century, as one of Earth's earliest attempts at interstellar travel. It was the only one of its class to reach its destination of Alpha Centauri; all the rest were overtaken by recently developed faster-than-light spaceships (ST reference: Star Trek Maps). The Enterprise detected radio transmissions from that star system in 2039, confirming the existence of intelligent lifeforms there. However, physical contact between Terrans and Centaurians did not occur until the UNSS Icarus visited the system in 2048. (ST reference: The Worlds of the Federation) The ships were later considered to be only unused prototypes. (TOS novel: Ex Machina) Nevertheless, the Enterprise became an enduring part of mankind's early space voyages, enough that its image was seen alongside the Phoenix at the 602 Club in 2143, and was displayed in Admiral Maxwell Forrest's office in 2154. (ENT episodes: "First Flight", "Home") The Enterprise was later renamed with the "SS" and "USS" prefixes. (ST references: The Making of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek Encyclopedia) At some point in its service history, the Enterprise had a Trill crewmember. On more than one occasion, this crew person's dedication and determination had contributed to the success of a difficult mission. (ST reference: Ships of the Line) Ezri Dax recalls a Trill crewmember of the Enterprise, and it is implied that the Trill was one of Dax's hosts (either Lela or Tobin). However, it could just as well have been another joined or unjoined Trill who Lela or Tobin knew at the time. The final flight of the Enterprise was made in 2129. In 2379, on the 250th anniversary of that flight, a replica of the Enterprise was flown. (DTI novel: Watching the Clock, Ships of the Line 2013) Circa 2273, an image of this USS Enterprise image was briefly displayed in the recreation room of the Constitution-class USS Enterprise (TOS movie: Star Trek: The Motion Picture). This was considered to be only an early, unused prototype and mistakenly installed, however, and was replaced with one of the more famous Enterprise (NX-01). (TOS novel: Ex Machina)
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